Solo recording career
In addition to his theatrical work, Morton has released two solo studio albums.
Morton's debut solo album NewClear was released on March 21, 2006, through Lyric Partners. The ten-track album featured a mix of original material and covers, running 37 minutes and 37 seconds.
Morton explained his approach to the album in a 2006 Playbill interview: "These songs picked me. Ten years ago, Mark Underwood played me 'NewClear' and I loved it. For me, this album's about your environment and how it affects your place in this world and how it affects who we love and who loves us back." He was deliberate in creating a vocalist album rather than a musical theatre recording, stating: "A lot of my fans love Broadway, but I didn't want to make a musical theatre album." The album is dedicated "For Grandma 1931-1996 I miss you."
The album included two songs by Boy George: "Pie in the Sky" and "Victims." Morton selected "Pie in the Sky" because he had "always loved it" and noted it was cut from the Broadway production of Taboo, calling it "a great radio song." The inclusion of "Victims" was suggested by Rosie O'Donnell and Kelly Carpenter. The album also featured Morton's version of Leonard Cohen's "Hallelujah," which he described as "probably the cut I'm proudest of, along with 'NewClear' and 'As It Began.'"
The album was produced by Morton himself in association with David Nehls and Mae Robertson, with L. Lee Armitage serving as executive producer. Recording took place at Big Fat Suite Studio in New York City (recorded by Mark Grant) and Bias Recording in Springfield, Virginia (recorded and mixed by Bob Dawson). The album was mastered by UE Nastasi at Sterling Sound in New York City.
The recording featured several musicians:
Euan Morton – vocals, backing vocals
David Nehls – piano, keyboard, Hammond B-3 organ
David Matos – electric and acoustic guitars
Paul Ranieri – electric and upright bass
Damien Bassman – drums and percussion
David Mann – saxophone
Eleasha Gamble – backing vocals
Musical arrangements were by David Nehls, David Matos, Paul Ranieri, Damien Bassman and Euan Morton.
Track listing for NewClear:
Morton promoted the album with concerts at Joe's Pub in New York City on March 20 and April 3, 2006, and at Birdland on May 15, 2006, as part of their Spring Season. Morton's track "Hallelujah" was featured as part of Lufthansa's Radio Inflight Entertainment on all long-haul flights during September and October 2006.
Morton's second album, Caledonia - The Homecoming, was released on May 10, 2011, through Lyric Partners. Described by Playbill as "an ode to Morton's homeland, Scotland," the album featured a mix of contemporary and traditional songs that pay tribute to Scotland.
The album was preceded by Morton's cabaret performances in 2009, when he performed a Scottish-themed one-man show titled "Caledonia: Songs for the Homecoming" in New York City to mark Scotland's Year of the Homecoming. The album features traditional Scottish songs that Morton had learned as a child from his mother.
In the album's liner notes, Morton explained that the project was inspired by overwhelming nostalgia during a planned trip home to Scotland. He wrote: "One is never more patriotic than when one is away from home. Distance also made me understand the true value of my upbringing in that beautiful, bucolic land." Morton described the album as "a chance to say 'thank you' to the place I will always call home. Thank you for making me Scottish."
The album was produced by Morton himself alongside Bob Dawson, and recorded, mixed and mastered by Bob Dawson at Bias Studios in Springfield, Virginia. The recording featured several musicians: Jon Carroll on piano, accordion and Hammond organ; Jim Roberts on bass, guitar and mandolin; Christina Wheeler on violin; and Steve Fidyk on percussion.
Morton acknowledged in the liner notes that not all songs are traditionally Scottish, explaining that some were included based on his personal associations with Scottish singers, particularly Eddi Reader. He stated: "I'm not trying to capture your idea of Caledonia — I'm here to share mine."
Track listing for Caledonia - The Homecoming:
To promote the album, Morton performed a concert on May 29, 2011, at Birdland in Manhattan as part of the Broadway at Birdland concert series.
